Big Leak Before Apple Event Confirms No Home Button For New iPad Pro

Apple is scheduled to hold an event in New York on Oct. 30, where it is expected to announce new iPad Pro models. Ahead of Tuesday’s event, a new leaked icon found within the latest version of iOS almost confirms that the new iPad will have no Home button.

No Home button almost confirmed

This new icon in the shape of the iPad was spotted within the iOS code first by 9to5Mac. The iPad icon reveals no Home button and smaller bezels than before. Apple could ditch the Touch ID from the new tablets and go solely with Face ID like it did with the iPhone X series.

9to5Mac also spotted a smaller but similar icon in Developer Beta 5 of iOS 12. However, the new icon gives a clearer view of the new iPad Pro design, which could have volume buttons on the right and the lock/ power button on top. One more interesting revelation is that the leaked iPad icon has no notch.

Further, the iPad icon shows larger-than-expected bezels, although that could be due to restrictions in designing an icon. There is also no slider key, but this again could be due to design restrictions for the icon, where details are not that important.

What to expect from the new iPad Pro

The overall design revealed by the leaked icon is in line with earlier rumors that the new iPad Pro will feature a bigger display, no Home button and the Face ID system, which will allow users to unlock the device just by looking at it. Face ID will support both portrait and landscape mode and also bring Animoji to the new iPad Pro.

Apple’s new iPad Pro could be the first major redesign since the release of the 12.9-inch iPad Pro in 2015. For the first time, the iOS device is expected to adopt a USB-C connector, ditching the Lightning connector which has been a hallmark iPhone and iPad feature since 2012.

The upcoming device could also get a new version of Apple’s A12 Bionic processor, which is powering the 2018 iPhones, and a new graphics chip. Further, it is believed that the new device will have an updated Apple Pencil and ditch the headphone jack as well. Apple is expected to reveal two new iPad Pros at the event tomorrow.

With the new iPad Pro, which could have more PC-like capabilities, Apple hopes to fight the growing competition from Windows 10 two-in-one hybrids like Lenovo’s ThinkPad X1 and Microsoft’s Surface Pro, both of which can be used as a tablet and laptop.

What more to expect at Apple’s October event?

In addition to the new iPad Pro, Apple is also expected to update its Mac computer line at the event. The new MacBook Air is expected to have an updated design and new processors. Apple’s MacBook Air has long been due for an update. It was last updated in early 2015 with fifth-generation Intel Core chips, while 8GB of RAM was made standard only last year.

Since the 12-inch MacBook was announced in 2015, many have been expecting Apple to either scrap the MacBook Air or overhaul it. Now the company is expected to completely revamp the MacBook Air with an improved display and either a seventh- or eighth-generation Intel Core processor.

Although the new MacBook Air is expected to keep the same screen size as the current model, it will likely feature a higher resolution and slimmer bezels. Further, an earlier report from analyst Ming-Chi Kuo suggested the device could get a fingerprint sensor, a feature which has been present in high-end Windows devices for years now.

Another device long due for an update is the Mac mini, which hasn’t been updated since October 2014. Apple is expected to announce a new Mac mini model with better specs and new features targeting professional users. The company may update its other Macs too, like by adding new Intel chips to the iMac and iMac Pro models. We have also heard about an update on the AirPower charging pad, which Apple promised to launch this year. The company may also launch updated AirPods at the event.

Apple’s event is set to begin at 10 a.m. local time in Brooklyn, N.Y. Viewers will be able to watch the live stream of the event.

Author: Aman JainAman is MBA (Finance) with an experience on both Marketing and Finance side. He has worked as a Risk Analyst for AIR Worldwide, and is currently leading VeRa FinServ, a Financial Research firm. Favorite pastimes include watching science fiction movies, reviewing tech gadgets, playing PC games and cricket. - Email him at amanjain@valuewalk.com